Tape cartridge docking apparatus for read/write recording assemblies and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A docking apparatus and method is used in a read/write recording assembly ( 10 ) and includes a bay structure, such as a sub-frame ( 50 ), adapted to receive a tape cartridge.( 18 ) The sub-frame ( 50 ) is disclosed to pivot relative to the assembly&#39;s main frame. A pawl element ( 78 ) is controlled by a cam assembly ( 40 ) in a first mode so as to move from an advanced position to a withdrawn position thereby to move the cartridge ( 18 ) from a received/extended position to a received/retracted position. The cam assembly ( 40 ) also mounts the cartridge ( 18 ), for example, by pivoting the sub-frame ( 50 ) relative to the main frame. Driving the cam assembly ( 40 ) in a second mode reverses this operation. The cam assembly ( 40 ) may use a single rotatable cam element ( 72 ) to accomplish the loading and mounting of the cartridge ( 18 ), and a suitable drive actuates the cam assembly ( 40 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/310,931, filed Aug. 7, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention broadly concerns apparatus and methods usedto store and retrieve information on the storage media, such as magnetictapes. In particular, this invention is directed to a tape cartridgedocking apparatus and method that is used to load a tape cartridge intoa read/write recording assembly. While the present invention isdescribed with respect to the storage and retrieval of data on magnetictapes housed in cartridges, it should be understood that the apparatusand methods may be employed with other tape media either as presentlyexisting or as hereinafter may be developed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The advent of the computer has already had a profound effect uponhuman society, and the impact of processing technology is expected toincrease. Indeed, the desirability to store information for subsequentretrieval currently grows at an exponential rate. Thus, various types ofdevices have been developed to store data both for on-line usage as wellas for archival purposes.

[0004] Where on-line processing requires data to be readily at hand, asignificant improvement was provided by the advent of the magnetic diskstorage array. Here, one or more magnetic disks are provided, and aread/write recording head is used to record information on the disk aswell as to retrieve information or data for use by the computerprocessor. Significant strides have been made in the ability to increasethe density of data stored on such magnetic disk arrays. In order togain an even higher density for on-line data, the optical disk wasdeveloped. These devices record data based upon a very small wavelengthof light so that a higher density is obtained due to this technique.Laser light is employed to read the stored information or data on theoptical disk.

[0005] In early days of the computer, before the advent of the magneticdisks and the optical disk storage assemblies, data was typically storedon magnetic tapes, such as reel-to-reel tapes and later cassettes orcartridges. In a magnetic tape storage device, a magnetic coil is usedas a transducer to imprint data magnetically on a moving band ofmagnetic film; thereafter, when the film is advanced across thetransducer, the data may be read and re-input into a co-processor.Magnetic tape can be erased and rewritten many times and has anadvantage of low cost.

[0006] Magnetic tape is still a highly desirable format for archivingdata for rapid access is of less significance and cost is of concern.However, where vast quantities of data are to be maintained, these tapescan be bulky due to the physical number necessary to store the quantityof data. The capacity for such tapes to store data, of course, isdependent upon the number of “tracks” which can be independently placedacross the width of the tape.

[0007] The ability to write data rapidly onto a magnetic tape film andthe accessibility of data to be read from the film is a function of twovariables: (1) the density of storage; and (2) the speed at which thetape medium may be transported across and accurately written/read by thetransducer. Thus, for example, a magnetic tape read/write system that isable to read and write nine tracks of data on a single strip of tapewill hold four and one-half times the amount of data as a system whichonly utilizes two tracks. Therefore, efforts to increase the capacity ofmagnetic tapes to store data have included substantial efforts toincrease the number of tracks which can be written on a band of magnetictape.

[0008] In the above-described systems, storage reels of tape, whetherflanged or flange-less (for example as used in cartridges) may be placedon the machine during use. A threading assembly engages the free end ofthe tape and passes it through the machine. Typically, the tape isthreaded across air bearings, past the transducer and into a take-up hubor reel. The length of the tape is then passed through the machine sothat information may be placed on the tape or retrieved therefrom.During this process, the length of tape is transferred onto a take-upreel or hub that is either a part of the machine itself, included withinthe cartridge or that is mounted and demounted from such machine. Afterbeing transported through the machine, the tape may be rewound onto thestorage reel and removed from the machine.

[0009] In the tape cartridge read/write recording system of the typeidentified above, it is necessary to insert a cartridge into the machineso that the tape medium contained within the cartridge may be threadedthrough the machine to perform a read/write function thereon. While thiscan accomplished manually, most systems incorporate automatedassemblies, such as an automated tape library system, that willinitially place a tape cartridge in the read/write recording system todefine a received state for the cartridge. The read/write recordingsystem is then actuated to retract the tape cartridge and mount it inthe read/write recording assembly. After performance of the read/writerecording function, the read/write recording assembly demounts thecartridge and extends it so that the tape cartridge may again beretrieved by the automated library system.

[0010] The present invention is directed to a tape cartridge dockingapparatus associated with a read/write recording assembly that receivesthe tape cartridge, mounts the tape cartridge and demounts the tapecartridge from the read/write assembly. The invention is also directedto a read/write recording assembly incorporating such docking apparatusas well as the methods accomplished by the docking apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful tape cartridge docking apparatus that may be used in a read/writerecording assembly.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new anduseful read/write recording assembly that incorporates such a tapedocking apparatus.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newand useful method of mounting and demounting a tape cartridge onto aread/write recording assembly.

[0014] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide asimplified docking apparatus and method that is inexpensive tomanufacture yet which is highly reliable in use.

[0015] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide adocking apparatus that utilizes a cam assembly incorporating a singlecam element that performs multitude of tasks in the docking method.

[0016] To accomplish these objects, the present invention is accordinglydirected to a docking apparatus operative to receive a tape cartridgeand mount and demount the tape cartridge relative to a tape read/writerecording assembly. Broadly, the docking apparatus includes a baystructure that is adapted to receive the tape cartridge to define areceived/extended position therefor. A pawl element includes a firstpawl end portion and a second pawl end portion opposite the first pawlend portion. The pawl element is movable between an advanced positionedand a withdrawn position. The first pawl end portion is adapted toengage and disengage the tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is inthe received/extended position and the pawl element is in the advancedposition. A cam assembly then engages the second end portion of the pawlelement. The cam assembly is operative upon being driven in a first modeto move the pawl element from the advanced position to the withdrawnposition thereby to move the cartridge from the received/extendedposition to a received/retracted position. The cam assembly is furtheroperative to advance the cartridge into a mounted state relative to thetape read/write assembly. The cam assembly is further operative uponbeing driven in a second mode to move the cartridge from the mountedstate into a demounted state relative to the read/write assembly andfurther is operative to move the pawl element from the withdrawnposition to the advanced position thereby to move the tape cartridgefrom the received/retracted position to the received/extended position.A drive is then provided to actuate the cam assembly selectively in thefirst and second modes.

[0017] More specifically, the cam assembly can include a rotatable camelement. The drive is then operative in a first mode to drive the camelement in a first angular direction and in the second mode to drive thecam element in a second angular direction oppositely of the firstangular direction. The cam element then has a first surface with adocking cam groove formed therein, and the second end portion of thepawl element includes a cam follower disposed thereon with this camfollower engaging the docking cam groove. The docking cam groove has aload section and a docking dwell section. The cam follower resides inthe load section while the pawl element is advanced between the advancedand withdrawn positions and then can reside in the dwell docking dwellsection while the cam element performs other tasks. The cam element canhave a second surface with a mounting groove that engages a link elementoperation to mount and demount the cartridge.

[0018] The cam assembly can also include a pawl control plate that isoperative to control the pawl element as it moves between the advancedposition and the withdrawn position. In the exemplary embodiment, thepawl control plate has a guide slot that is operative to engage thefirst end portion of the pawl element and a control slot that isoperative to engage the second end portion of the pawl element. Here,the pawl element includes a first finger that engages the guide slot anda second finger that engages the control slot. Where the tape cartridgehas a handling slot, the first finger is sized to extend through theguide slot of the pawl control plate so that it may selectively engageand disengage the handling slot on the cartridge. Here, also, the guideslot has a first leg portion and a second leg portion. The first fingermoves and the first leg portion when the first finger moves intoengagement and disengagement with the handling slot and the first fingermoves in the second leg portion when the pawl element moves between theadvanced position and the withdrawn position. Where tape cartridgeincludes a tape access door, the pawl control plate can also include aflange positioned to engage and open the tape access door when thecartridge moves from the received/extended position toreceived/retracted.

[0019] In the docking apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment,the tape read/write assembly includes a main frame. A sub-frame is thenpivotally secured to the main frame and is movable between the firstposition to define a demounted state for the cartridge and a secondposition to define the mounted state for the cartridge. This sub-frameincludes a docking bay that is adapted to receive the tape cartridge todefine a received/extended position therefor. A pawl element and a camassembly, as described above, is included in this docking apparatus.Here, a linking element is associated with the main frame and thesub-frame. The cam assembly then includes a first cam component thatengages the pawl element to move the pawl element between the advancedposition and the withdrawn position. The cam assembly includes a secondcam component that engages the link element. This second cam componentis operative when the cam assembly is driven in the first mode to movethe sub-frame from the first position to the second position thereby todefine a mounted state for the cartridge. The second cam component isoperative when the cam assembly is driven in the second mode to move thesub-frame from the second position to the first position thereby todefine a demounted state for the cartridge. Suitable timing dwells areprovided.

[0020] In this embodiment, a single rotatable cam element is providedwith a docking cam groove formed on a first surface and a mounting camgroove formed on a second surface thereof. A pawl control plate, asdescribed above, is again provided. Here, the cam assembly may also bemounted to the sub-frame with the drive being mounted to the camassembly. The pawl control plate is mounted to the cam assembly and thepawl element is supported by the pawl control plate and the camassembly.

[0021] The present invention also includes a read/write recordingassembly incorporating the docking apparatus described above. Theread/write recording assembly includes a main frame and a sub-frame thatis pivotally secured to the main frame. Here, again, the sub-frame ismovable between a first position to define a demounted state for thetape cartridge and a second position to define a mounted state for thecartridge. The sub-frame includes a docking bay adapted to receive thetape cartridge to define a received/extended position therefor. Theread/write recording assembly includes a read/write recording headdisposed in the main frame and first and second bearing members locatedin the upstream location and a downstream location, respectively, withrespect to the read/write recording head. A take up mechanism issupported in the main frame and includes a hub having an outer surfaceabout which the tape medium is to be wound. A rotatable drive operatesto rotate the hub and wind the tape medium thereon, and a threadingassembly is operative to transport a free end of the tape medium betweenthe tape cartridge and the take up mechanism. A pawl element, a camassembly and a drive as described above is incorporated, then, into thisread/write recording assembly.

[0022] The present invention is also directed to a method of mounted anddemounted a tape cartridge containing a tape medium onto a read/writerecording assembly. This method may include any of the processing stepsinherent in the above-described structure. Broadly, though, the methodof this invention includes inserting the tape cartridge into a bayformed on the sub-frame that is pivotally secured to the main frame ofthe read/write recording assembly to define a received/extended statefor the tape cartridge. The method includes the step of engaging thetape cartridge and advancing it from the received/extended state to areceived/retracted state. The sub-frame is then pivoted relative to themain frame from a first position to a second position to move the tapecartridge from a demounted state into a mounted state relative to theread/write recording assembly. The tape medium is then advanced throughthe read/write recording apparatus to perform a read/write functionthereon. After performing the read/write function, the tape medium isrestored in the tape cartridge. The sub-frame is then pivoted from thesecond position to the first position to demount and move the tapecartridge into the received/retracted position. The method then includesthe step of advancing the tape cartridge from the received/retractedposition to the received/extended position and disengaging and removingthe tape cartridge from the bay of the sub-frame.

[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiment when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape deck or cartridge systemand a tape cartridge incorporating the systems and methods of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge loading andthreading apparatus of the present invention with the pivoting cartridgehousing removed therefrom;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge assembly ofFIGS. 1 and 2 showing the threading guide and loading assembly removedtherefrom to reveal the take-up reel, air bearings and read/write head;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a top plan view, in partial cross-section showing theloading of the tape cartridge into the tape apparatus of FIGS. 1-3;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a side view partially broken-away showing the cartridgemount/demount assembly of the present invention with the cartridge in areceived/extended position with the cartridge in a demounted state;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a side view partially broken-away, similar to FIG. 5,but showing the tape cartridge in a received/retracted position and in amounted state;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drive and camming assembly formounting and demounting a tape cartridge used in the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the drive and camming assembly ofFIG. 7;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a top view in elevation showing the pawl element used toload a cartridge according to the present invention with the pawl guideplate shown in phantom;

[0033]FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the cam element and annular gearused in the drive and camming assembly of FIGS. 7 and 8;

[0034] FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) show the first camming surface and groove ofthe cam element used to move a tape cartridge between the extendedposition and the received retracted position;

[0035] FIGS. 12(a)-12(c) are side views in elevation showing the cam anddrive assembly respectively corresponding to FIGS. 11(a)-11(c);

[0036] FIGS. 13(a)-13(c) show the second cam surface and groove for thecam element used to move the tape cartridge from the intermediateretracted state to the fully mounted state;

[0037]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge housing andthe tape threading assembly of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the threading plate of thepresent invention with the threading channel shown in phantom; and

[0039]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 16-16 of FIG.15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0040] The present invention is directed to a tape read/write recordingassembly which is operative to receive a tape cartridge, thread the tapefrom the tape cartridge around a bearing system and read/write head,transfer the tape from tape cartridge onto a take-up spool andthereafter reverse the tape so that it is restored in the tapecartridge. The present invention is particularly directed to anautomated docking system which can receive tape cartridges from a tapelibrary apparatus (not shown) to selectively receive, mount and demountthe tape cartridges in an automated system. The present invention alsoencompasses the method of mounting and demounting a tape cartridge bymeans of the steps described and inherent in this structure as describedbelow.

[0041] The present invention includes a read/write recording assemblythat incorporates this tape cartridge docking apparatus. While therecording assembly may be used with an automated library system whereinthe library system mechanism will deliver a tape to the tape deck andpartially insert it therein to define a received/extended position, itshould be understood that the docking apparatus may be use in manuallyloaded systems. The tape cartridge docking apparatus of the presentinvention pulls the tape from the received/extended position into thetape deck in a received/retracted position and thereafter moves it froma demounted state to a mounted state relative to the read/writerecording assembly. The apparatus and method of the present inventionthen picks the tape and threads it around an air bearing support andacross a read/write head so that it may be wound onto a take-up spoolinternal of the tape deck. Thereafter, the process is reversed torestore the tape into the cartridge, demount the cartridge and move itfrom the retracted position to the extended position. Thereafter, theautomated tape library system can remove the tape and return it to anarchived location. As noted, although the present invention iscontemplated for use with automated tape library systems, it should beunderstood that tape cartridges may be manually inserted into the tapedeck.

[0042] The major structural features of the present invention are thendescribed with respect to the figures presented herewith as well as theaccompanying description. It should be appreciated that the presentinvention may be implemented in a variety of different tape read/writeenvironments, but that the structure described herein is particularlysuitable for this invention.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 1, a read/write recording assembly or deck10 is illustrated and includes a housing 12 with a front cover plate 14having an opening 16 formed therein. A tape cartridge 18 is adapted forinsertion into the interior of tape deck 10 through opening 16. Tapecartridge 18 includes a cartridge handling slot 20 that is of a standardstructure in the industry. Tape cartridge 18 typically includes a tapeaccess door 21 including a actuating tab 23. While reference is made toa read/write recording assembly, it should be understood that suchphrase may refer to a read only assembly, a write only assembly or anassembly that performs both read and write functions.

[0044] As is shown in FIG. 2, tape deck 10 includes a main frame 24 thatincludes a mounting plate 26 to which a take-up reel, air bearings and aread/write head are secured, as described below. Mounting plate 26 alsosupports a motor assembly (not shown) that includes a toothed drive 28and a magnet 30 as is known in the art. Tape deck 10 also includes adrive and cam assembly 40 for docking the tape cartridge 18. A tapethreading guide plate 60 and a bearing 156 along with a threading motor150, all as described more thoroughly below, are mounted in thisstructure. It should be understood that guide plate 60, bearing 156 andmotor 150 are mounted to a pivotal sub-housing 50, also described below.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 3, it may be seen that tape deck 10includes a plurality of air bearings 32, 34, 36 and 38 about which atape will be trained so that it may be engaged in a take-up spool 39.Air bearings 32, 34, 36 and 38 can be any type of air bearing known inthe art, although it is preferred that these air bearings be constructedin accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,823, issued Jul.7, 1998 to Gavit, one of the inventors for the present invention. Inaddition to these air bearings, tape deck 10 includes a read/writerecording head 42 in order to retrieve information from the tape orrecord information onto the tape. Thus, it should be understood thatread/write recording head 42 could be a write only head, a read onlyhead, or a recording head that could perform both read and writefunctions.

[0046] With reference now to FIG. 4, tape cartridge 18 is shown in areceived but demounted state within the mounting assembly of tape deck10. As is shown in this Figure, cartridge 18 is supported by means of aside plate 44 and a lower panel 46 secured to side plate 44. In FIG. 4,tape cartridge 18 is shown in the received/extended position withcartridge 18 positioned and supported between side plate 44 and sideplate 84 of drive and cam assembly 40. Tape cartridge 18 is also shown,in phantom, in the received/retracted state although it remainsdemounted from the toothed drive 28 and magnet 30. The received/extendedposition is also shown in FIG. 5 where it can be seen that tapecartridge 18 is received in a bay formed by pivoting sub-frame 50 but isextended outwardly from the receiving bay. Here, also, sub-frame 50 isshown such that cartridge 18 is in a demounted state with sub-frame 50being oriented at a small acute angle “a” with respect to the horizontalsurface of mounting plate 26. Threading guide plate 60 is mounted tosub-frame 50 by screws 62. Likewise, drive and cam assembly 40 issecured to sub-frame 50 by means of screws 52. In FIG. 6, it is seenthat tape cartridge 18 has been moved into the received/retractedposition and sub-frame 50 has moved cartridge 18 from the demountedstate to the mounted state by virtue of being pivoted with respect tomounting plate 26 about hinge 54 in the manner described below.

[0047] In order to move tape cartridge 18 between the extended andretracted positions as well as to move cartridge 18 between thedemounted state and the mounted state, a drive and cam assembly 40 isprovided, as noted above. This assembly is best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.In these figures, it may be seen that drive and cam assembly 40 includesa gear box 70 which mounts a cam element 72 and an annular gear 74 on anaxial pin 76. A pawl element 78 (also shown in FIG. 9) includes a firstcam follower 80 at one end and a finger 81 that is coaxially therewithand that projects oppositely of cam follower 80. A second finger 82 islocated on a common side of pawl 78 as finger 81. Pawl control plate 84mounts to gear box 70 to rotatably secure axial pin 76 between bearings86 and thus secure cam element 72 (along with annular gear 74 mountedthereto) and pawl element 78 of the interior of gear box 70.

[0048] Pawl control plate 84 includes a control slot 88 that isoperative to engage finger 81, and a guide slot 90 that is adapted toengage finger 82. It should be understood that finger 81 is entirelycontained within slot 88 and does not project therefrom. However, finger82 is dimensioned sufficiently so that a portion thereof projects fromslot 90 in order to engage cartridge handling slot 20 of cartridge 18 tomove tape cartridge 18 between the extended and retracted positions.Guide slot 90 has a first leg portion 89 in which finger 82 moves whenengaging and disengaging the handling slot 20 of cartridge 18. Guideslot 90 has a second leg portion 91 in which finger 82 moves when pawlelement 78 moves between the advanced position and the withdrawnposition, as described below.

[0049] The mechanical driving of cartridge 18 between the extended andretracted positions is accomplished by means of a drive motor 92 thatdrives a worm gear 94 that engages annular gear 74. To this end, wormgear 94 is supported on a shaft 96 that is rotatably journaled in gearbox 70 and is linked to motor 92 by means of drive head 98. Rotation ofshaft 96 and worm gear 94 operates to rotate annular gear 74 and thuscam element 72 secured thereto.

[0050] The construction of cam element 72 and annular gear 74 may bestbe seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. Here, it may be seen that cam element 72includes a first component or disk section 100 and a second component ordisk section 102 that is of slightly smaller diameter than disk section100 so as to form an annular shoulder 104. It should be understood thatdisk sections 100 and 102 are formed integrally with one another withshoulder 104 providing an annular seat for annular gear 74. Annular gear74 may be secured in shoulder 104 by means of set screws 106.Alternatively, of course, cam element 72 and annular gear 74 can beformed as a single piece. In either event, cam element 72 has two camfaces, a first cam face 108 formed on the outer surface of first disksection 100 and a second cam surface 110 formed on the exposed face ofsecond disk section 102.

[0051] The movement of tape cartridge 18 from the received/extendedstate to the received/retracted state may now be best appreciated withreference to FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) and 12(a)-12(c). In these Figures, motor92 and worm gear 94 act to drive cam element 72 in a counterclockwisedirection shown by arrow “A”. In FIG. 11(a), it may be seen that camfollower pin 80 is disposed in a load section of the camming groove 112defined by hooked portion 113. Finger 81 extending into but notcompletely through slot 88, as is shown in FIG. 12(a). Here, also,finger 82 is located in vertical section 91 of slot 90 and is positionedat the lowermost point thereof. As noted above, finger 82 extendsthrough slot 90 and protrudes outwardly therefrom. By being at thelowermost position in vertical section 89 of slot 90 finger 82 is movedso that a cartridge may be inserted into and removed from the bay oftape deck 10. When inserted, the tape cartridge is in the orientationshown in FIG. 5. However, when cam element 72 is rotated a few degrees(approximately five degrees (5°) in the direction of arrow “A”, pawlelement 78 pivots to the position shown in FIG. 12(b). When this occurs,finger 82 moves upwardly in vertical portion 89 of slot 90. When thisoccurs, finger 82 moves into cartridge handling slot 20. Continuedrotation over approximately two hundred degrees (200°) moves cam elementinto the position shown in FIG. 11(c). During this motion, finger 81moves through a first ninety degrees actuate portion 85 of slot 88 afterwhich it moves in a linear portion 87 thereof. Movement of pin 81 in thelinear portion moves cam follower pin 80 out of the hooked portion 113of cam groove 112. It can then dwell in circular dwell section 114 ofcam groove 112 for about three hundred and twenty degrees (320°) ofrotation. Furthermore, this rotation causes finger 82 to move completelyalong the length of horizontal portion 91 of slot 90 so as to completelymove cartridge 18 from the extended to the retracted position. Thiscorresponds, then to the movement of pawl element form the advancedposition shown in FIG. 12(a) to the withdrawn position shown in FIG.12(c).

[0052] With reference again to FIG. 3, it may be seen that a second camfollower pin 120 is mounted by mounting plate 26 so it is rigidlysupported thereby. Cam follower pin 120 forms a linking element tomechanically link sub-frame 50 and main frame 24 for relative pivotalmotion. Cam follower pin 120 includes a post 122 which extends throughslot 124 in gear box 70 so as to engage second cam groove 116 formed insecond cam surface 110 of cam element 72. Rotation of cam element 72 asdescribed with respect to arrow “A” of FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) will cause aclockwise rotation of cam element 72 when in the views depicted in FIGS.13(a)-13(c). Clockwise rotation in the direction of arrow “B” throughapproximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°), which corresponds tothe rotation in FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) provides a dwell for post 120 in afirst arcuate portion 117 of second cam groove 116. This corresponds torotation shown in FIG. 12(a) moving to the position shown in FIG. 12(b).During the next ninety degrees of rotation in the direction of arrow“B”, post 92 moves along linear section 118 of cam groove 116 so thatpost 22 is moved radially inward with respect to rotational axis “R”.

[0053] With reference again to FIGS. 6 and 7, it may be appreciatedthat, since second cam follower pin 120 is mounted rigidly to mountingplate 26 and since gear box 70 is secured to pivoting sub-frame 50, gearbox 70 of drive and cam assembly 40 is forced to move downwardly topivot sub-frame 50 into the mounted state shown in FIG. 6 during thisninety degrees (90°) of rotation. Thus, tape cartridge 18 which is nowin the received/retracted position is moved from a demounted state to amounted state wherein it engages tooth drive 28 and magnet 30. Thiscorresponds to the post and cam orientation of FIG. 13(c), and it may beappreciated that further rotation of cam element 72 provides anapproximate one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) dwell by virtue of themovement of post 122 in groove portion 119 of cam groove 116.

[0054] With reference again to FIG. 10(c), the ninety degree rotation ofcam element 72 which causes the movement of sub-frame 50 from thedemounted to the mounted state takes up approximately ninety degrees(90°) of arc of arcuate portion 114 of cam groove 112. Thus, at theconclusion of the pivoting of sub-frame 50 to the mounted state, each ofcam grooves 112 and 116 provide an approximate one hundred and eightydegrees (180°) of dwell upon the further driving of cam element 72 bymotor 92. This dwell time can be used to provide structure (not shown)for picking the lead end of the tape in cartridge 18 for threading.

[0055] Reversing motor 92 causes the demounting and extension ofcartridge 18 by reversing the procedure described above. First,sub-frame 50 is moved from the mounted state shown in FIG. 6 to thedemounted state shown in FIG. 5 by the relative movement of post 122 incam groove portion 118 that forces gear box 70 away from mounting plate26. This breaks the magnetic attraction between tape cartridge 18 andmagnet 30 so that cartridge 18 demounted but retracted within sub-frame50. Continued rotation in the reverse direction then causes pawl 78 tomove sequentially from the withdrawn position shown in FIG. 12(c),through the position shown in FIG. 12(b) and finally to the advancedposition shown in FIG. 12(a). During this movement, finger 82 moves tapecartridge 18 from the received/retracted state to the received/extendedstate and finally disengages finger 82 from slot 20. At this point, tapecartridge 18 can be removed from tape deck 10, for example, by anautomated library system.

[0056] While the above-described structure allows for the movement oftape cartridge 18 between the received/extended position and thereceived/retracted position as well as the demounted state and themounted state, it is still necessary that the tape from the tapecartridge 18 be threaded around the read/write assembly onto take-upspool 39. This is accomplished by means of a motor 150, shown in FIGS. 2and 14 which drives a sprocket 152 and a continuous loop belt 154. Belt154 extends across a lubricious bearing 156 that is provided withmounting slot 158 to secure to sub-frame 50 by means of a screw 160 sothat suitable tensioning on belt 154 may be provided by bearing surfaces160 and 162. Belt 154 extends through a threading channel 170 shown inphantom in FIG. 15 wherein threading channel 170 forms a serpentine pathin guide plate 60. As is shown in FIG. 16, threading channel 70 in guideplate 60 is sized to receive a carriage piece 172 which may advance froma start location designated as “X” in channel 170 around the perimeterof guide plate 60 to terminate at a radially interior location “Y”adjacent the hub of take-up spool 39. Carriage piece 172 includes anelongated arm 174 extending therefrom with arm 174 adapted to engage thestandard threading piece on the end of the tape in tape cartridge 18, asis known in the art.

[0057] Accordingly, it should be appreciated that, after the mounting oftape cartridge 18, motor 150 may be activated to rotate sprocket 152 sothat the end of the tape is threaded around air bearings 32, 34 and 36after which it is threaded across read/write head 42 and around airbearing 38 where the end of the tape is then advanced to and engagedwith the hub of take-up spool 39. The tape medium may be then wound ontospool 39 while information is transferred to or read from the tape as itpasses over read/write head 42. After completion of the read/write task,the tape is unwound off of spool 32 and the end of the tape is thenreversed through threading channel 170 and release tape cartridge 18.

[0058] In order to initially access the lead end of the tape in tapecartridge 18, it is usually necessary to open a small tape access door21 on the edge of cartridge 18. To this end, pawl control plate 84 isprovided with a small flange 22 (FIGS. 9,12(a)-12(c)) that engages tab23 on the door 21 when cartridge 18 is moved from the received/extendedstate to the received/retracted state.

[0059] It may also be appreciated that since sub-frame 50 is pivotallysecured at hinge 54 to mounting plate 26 and since mounting plate 26 ismechanically interlocked to sub-frame 50 by way of post 120 engaging camelement 72 the disengagement of cam element 72 by post 120 will permitsub-frame 50 to be pivoted 90 degrees with respect to mounting plate 26.Such pivotal movement exposes the internal parts of tape deck 10 forpurposes of maintenance.

[0060] The present invention is also directed to a method of mounted anddemounted a tape cartridge containing a tape medium onto a read/writerecording assembly. This method may include any of the processing stepsinherent in the above described structure. Broadly, though, the methodof this invention includes inserting the tape cartridge into a bayformed on the sub-frame that is pivotally secured to the main frame ofthe read/write recording assembly to define a received/extended statefor the tape cartridge. The method includes the step of engaging thetape cartridge and advancing it from the received/extended state to areceived/retracted state. The sub-frame is then pivoted relative to themain frame from a first position to a second position to move the tapecartridge from a demounted state into a mounted state relative to theread/write recording assembly. The tape medium is then advanced throughthe read/write recording apparatus to perform a read/write functionthereon. After performing the read/write function, the tape medium isrestored in the tape cartridge. The sub-frame is then pivoted from thesecond position to the first position to demount and move the tapecartridge into the received/retracted position. The method then includesthe step of advancing the tape cartridge from the received/retractedposition to the received/extended position and disengaging and removingthe tape cartridge from the bay of the sub-frame.

[0061] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with somedegree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the presentinvention is defined by the following claims construed in light of theprior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention without departing from theinventive concepts contained herein.

We claim:
 1. Docking apparatus operative to receive a tape cartridge andmount and demount said cartridge relative to a tape read/write assembly,comprising: (A) a bay structure adapted to receive said cartridge todefine a received/extended position therefor; (B) a pawl elementincluding a first pawl end portion and a second pawl end portionopposite said first pawl end portion and movable between an advancedposition and a withdrawn position, said first pawl end portion adaptedto engage and disengage said tape cartridge when said tape cartridge isin the received/extended position and said pawl element is in theadvanced position; (C) a cam assembly engaging said second end portionof said pawl element, said cam assembly operative upon being driven in afirst mode to move said pawl element from the advanced position to thewithdrawn position thereby to move the cartridge from thereceived/extended position to a received/retracted position and furtheroperative to advance the cartridge into a mounted state relative to saidtape read/write assembly, said cam assembly operative upon being drivenin a second mode to move the cartridge from the mounted state into ademounted state relative to said tape read/write assembly and furtheroperative to move said pawl element from the withdrawn position to theadvanced position thereby to move the cartridge from thereceived/retracted position to the received/extended position; and (D) adrive operative to actuate said cam assembly selectively in the firstand second modes.
 2. Docking apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidcam assembly includes a rotatable cam element, said drive operative inthe first mode to drive said cam element in a first angular directionand in the second mode to drive said cam element in a second angulardirection oppositely of the first angular direction.
 3. Dockingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cam element has a firstsurface with a docking cam groove formed therein, the second end portionof said pawl element including a cam follower disposed thereon andengaging the docking cam groove.
 4. Docking apparatus according to claim3 wherein said docking cam groove has a load section and a docking dwellsection, said cam follower residing in the load section while said pawlelement is advanced between the advanced and withdrawn positions. 5.Docking apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cam element has asecond surface with a mounting cam groove formed therein, and includinga link element engaging said mounting cam groove and operative to movethe tape cartridge between the mounted and demounted states.
 6. Dockingapparatus according to claim 5 wherein said mounting cam groove has amounting dwell section and a mounting section, said link member residingin said mounting dwell section when said pawl element is moved betweenthe advanced and withdrawn positions.
 7. Docking apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said cam assembly includes a pawl control plateoperative to control said pawl element as it moves between the advancedposition and the withdrawn position.
 8. Docking apparatus according toclaim 7 wherein said pawl control plate has a guide slot that isoperative to engage said first end portion of said pawl element and acontrol slot that is operative to engage said second end portion of saidpawl element.
 9. Docking apparatus according to claim 8 wherein saidpawl element includes a first finger that engages the guide slot and asecond finger that engages the control slot.
 10. Docking apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said cartridge has a handling slot, saidfirst finger being sized to extend through the guide slot andselectively engage and disengage the handling slot on said cartridge.11. Docking apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the guide slot has afirst leg portion and a second leg portion, said first finger moving inthe first leg portion when said first finger moves into engagement anddisengagement with the handling slot and said first finger moving in thesecond leg portion when said pawl element moves between the advancedposition and the withdrawn retracted position.
 12. Docking apparatusaccording to claim 7 wherein said cartridge includes a tape access door,said pawl control plate including a flange positioned to engage and opensaid tape access door when said cartridge moves from thereceived/extended position to the received/retracted position. 13.Docking apparatus operative to receive a tape cartridge and mount anddemount said cartridge relative to a tape read/write assembly,comprising: (A) a main frame for said tape read/write assembly; (B) asubframe pivotally secured to said main frame and movable between afirst position to define a demounted state for said cartridge and asecond position to define a mounted state for said cartridge, saidsubframe including a docking bay adapted to receive said tape cartridgeto define a received/extended position therefor; (C) a pawl elementincluding a first pawl end portion and a second pawl end portionopposite said first pawl end portion and movable between an advancedposition and a withdrawn position, said first pawl end portion adaptedto engage and disengage said tape cartridge when said tape cartridge isin the received/extended position and said pawl element is in theadvanced position; (D) a linking element associated with said main frameand said subframe; (E) a cam assembly adapted to be driven in first andsecond modes and including (1) a first cam component engaging saidsecond end portion of said pawl element, said first cam componentoperative when said cam assembly is driven in the first mode to movesaid pawl element from the advanced position to the withdrawn position,said first cam component operative when said cam assembly is driven inthe second mode to move said pawl element from the withdrawn position tothe advanced position thereby to move the cartridge from thereceived/retracted position to the received/extended position; and (2) asecond cam component engaging said link element, said second camcomponent operative when said cam assembly is driven in the first modeto move said subframe from the first position to the second positionthereby to define a mounted state for said cartridge, said first camcomponent operative when said cam assembly is driven in the second modeto move said subframe from the second position to the first positionthereby to define a demounted state for said cartridge; and (E) a driveoperative to actuate said cam assembly selectively in the first andsecond modes.
 14. Docking apparatus according to claim 13 wherein saidcam assembly includes a rotatable cam element, said drive operative inthe first mode to drive said cam element in a first angular directionand in the second mode to drive said cam element in a second angulardirection oppositely of the first angular direction.
 15. Dockingapparatus according to claim 14 wherein said cam element has a firstsurface with a docking cam groove formed therein, the second end portionof said pawl element including a cam follower disposed thereon andengaging the docking cam groove.
 16. Docking apparatus according toclaim 15 wherein said cam element has a second surface with a mountingcam groove formed therein, said linking element engaging the mountingcam groove whereby rotation of said cam element pivots said main frameand said subframe with respect to one another.
 17. Docking apparatusaccording to claim 13 wherein said cam assembly includes a pawl controlplate operative to control said pawl element as it moves between theadvanced position and the withdrawn position.
 18. Docking apparatusaccording to claim 17 wherein said pawl control plate has a guide slotthat is operative to engage said first end portion of said pawl elementand a control slot that is operative to engage said second end portionof said pawl element.
 19. Docking apparatus according to claim 17wherein said cartridge includes a tape access door, said pawl controlplate including a flange positioned to engage and open said tape accessdoor when said cartridge moves from the received/extended position tothe received/retracted position.
 20. Docking apparatus according toclaim 13 wherein said cam assembly is mounted to said subframe. 21.Docking apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said drive is mounted tosaid cam assembly.
 22. Docking apparatus according to claim 20 includinga pawl control plate mounted to said cam assembly, said pawl elementbeing supported by said pawl control plate and said cam assembly.
 23. Aread/write recording assembly adapted to receive a tape cartridgecontaining a tape medium and operative to perform a read/write functionthereon as said tape medium advances therein, comprising: (A) a mainframe for said tape read/write recording assembly; (B) a subframepivotally secured to said main frame and movable between a firstposition to define a demounted state for said cartridge and a secondposition to define a mounted state for said cartridge, said subframeincluding a docking bay adapted to receive said tape cartridge to definea received/extended position therefor; (C) a read/write recording headdisposed on said main frame; (D) first bearing member located at anupstream location relative to said read/write recording head and secondbearing member located at a downstream location relative to saidread/write recording head; (E) a take-up mechanism supported on saidmain frame and including a hub having an outer surface about which thetape medium is to be wound; (F) a rotatable drive operative to rotatesaid hub thereby to wind said tape medium thereon; (G) a threadingassembly operative to transport a free end of the tape medium betweensaid tape cartridge and said take-up mechanism; (H) a pawl elementincluding a first pawl end portion and a second pawl end portionopposite said first pawl end portion, said pawl element movable betweenan advanced position and a withdrawn position, said first pawl endportion adapted to engage and disengage said tape cartridge when saidtape cartridge is in the received/extended position and said pawlelement is in the advanced position; (I) a cam assembly engaging saidsecond end portion of said pawl element, said cam assembly operativeupon being driven in a first mode to move said pawl element from theadvanced position to the withdrawn position thereby to move thecartridge from the received/extended position to a received/retractedposition and further operative to move said subframe from the firstposition to the second position thereby to define a mounted state forsaid cartridge relative to said tape read/write assembly, said camassembly operative upon being driven in a second mode to move saidsubframe from the second position to the first position thereby todefine a demounted state for said cartridge relative to said taperead/write assembly and further operative to move said pawl element fromthe withdrawn position to the advanced position thereby to move thecartridge from the received/retracted position to the received/extendedposition; and (J) a drive operative to actuate said cam assemblyselectively in the first and second modes.
 24. A read/write recordingassembly according to claim 23 wherein said cam assembly is disposed onsaid subframe.
 25. A read/write recording assembly according to claim 23wherein said threading assembly is disposed on said subframe.
 26. Aread/write recording assembly according to claim 25 wherein said camassembly is disposed on said subframe.
 27. A method of mounting anddemounting a tape cartridge containing a tape medium onto a read/writerecording assembly that includes a main frame and performing aread/write function thereon, comprising: (A) inserting the tapecartridge into a bay formed on subframe that is pivotally secured to themain frame of said read/write recording assembly to define areceived/extended state for the tape cartridge; (B) engaging said tapecartridge and advancing said tape cartridge from the received/extendedstate to a received/retracted state; (C) pivoting said subframe relativeto said main frame from a first position to a second position to movesaid tape cartridge from a demounted state into a mounted state relativeto said read/write recording assembly; (D) advancing the tape mediumthrough said read/write recording assembly to perform a read/writefunction thereon; (E) restoring the tape medium in said tape cartridge;(F) pivoting said subframe from the second position to the firstposition to demount and move said tape cartridge into thereceived/retracted position; (G) advancing said tape cartridge from thereceived/retracted position to the received/extended position; and (H)disengaging and removing said tape cartridge from the bay.